Report: Suns looking to trade Eric Bledsoe

The free agency stand off between restricted free agent guard Eric Bledsoe and the Phoenix Suns may be nearing an end soon.

According to a report from Fox Sports 910 host Jude LaCava, the Suns are very much open to the idea of trading Bledsoe:

“I’ll tell you this, and I think this is the first time it’s reported,” Jude LaCava said on Tuesday. “I do believe in my NBA sources. You can take this to the bank, so to speak, the Suns are now discussing trade possibilities for Eric Bledsoe.”

“That’s the new chapter to this and I wouldn’t back off of that information. I think it’s 100% correct.”

Phoenix offered Bledsoe a fair market contract earlier this summer valued at $48 million over 4 years, which Bledsoe rejected. The athletic yet injury-prone guard has been seeking close to a max contract, but hasn’t been able to secure an offer mostly due to his injury history as well as the Suns ability to match any offer he received. The Suns landed Bledsoe in a three-team trade with the Clippers and Bucks in 2013.

Phoenix also signed point guard Isaiah Thomas this summer, possibly as insurance in case they weren’t able to keep Bledsoe. Bledsoe averaged 17.7 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in his first season with the Suns but only played in 43 out of 82 games. Bledsoe also missed half of the 2012 season due to injuries.

Despite Bledsoe’s health concerns, he’s still one of the better young guards in the NBA when he;s on the floor. Phoenix will definitely have offers, but they probably wont’t blow anyone away. The Suns may be better off selling low on Bledsoe and letting his contract demands be another team’s headache rather than risk lose him next summer as an unrestricted free agent.

One Comment

mcmaximus

The Chicago Bulls could use Eric Bledsoe as insurance to Derrick Rose next season. An Eric Bledsoe for Mike Dunleavy trade would be good for both teams. The Suns get a 6’10 sharp shooter who can play the 2,3,& 4 position. The Bulls get another point guard who can penetrate the lanes and run the point guard spot.